Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 230 - 229 Important Person

Chapter 230: Chapter 229 Important Person

After the meal, Aunt Zeng and her daughter left with several people from the Chu’s Mansion.

After Chen Afu put Dabao to sleep, she asked Qiu Yue to take the gifts and go to the main room.

Miss Aman was much more likable than Chen Aju. She was not only good-looking but also had an appealing temperament, persistently holding on to Chen Afu’s hand not wanting to let go.

While they were chatting, Zeng Shuang arrived. After Mrs. Zhang served tea, she took Aman out.

Zeng Shuang shared that there was a shop that matched Chen Afu’s requirements. It was located on Xiaofang North Street, only two streets away from the Wanxiang Street where the Chu’s Mansion was located. It was in a wealthy neighborhood with many residents. The two-story shop came with a courtyard that had eight rooms and a well.

The original price was 2,400 taels of silver, but he managed to bring it down to 1,900 taels. Since he knew the seller personally, he did not have to go through a broker, even the commission fee was waived.

Considering the prime location and broad space of the shop, the price was quite reasonable. Chen Afu nodded contentedly and agreed to inspect the shop the day after tomorrow. If it was suitable, she would make the payment.

After discussing some matters regarding hiring and contracts, Zeng Shuang left.

Before he left, he advised Chen Afu in whispers, according to sources from the Senator’s Mansion, the important figures from Dingzhou were the Second Prince and Seventh Prince. They were representing the Emperor to inspect Dingzhou. He cautioned Chen Afu to be wary while out and about. The Seventh Prince was mischievous, so if she notices any procession, she should stay away.

When he said "mischievous", he emphasized the phrase with a weighted tone and a teasing gleam in his eyes, implying something more than simply being playful.

Chen Afu nodded.

Initially, she believed being acquainted with local elites and military officials in Dingzhou should prevent any significant incident. However, now with the arrival of these two prominent figures, she decided to better be safe than sorry. Not for any other reason, but for Dabao. Although she did not believe Dabao’s identity was of any royal blood, these two princes representing the Emperor were bound to bring officials along...

After Dabao woke up, the courtyard became lively. When Chen Atang returned from school, it became even more lively. The human chatter, dog barks, and the chirping of birds overjoyed Mrs. Zhang, who hoped Chen Afu and her son could stay longer.

Chen Shi returned home after dinner. The prosperous and successful Chen, clad in a brocade robes, wore a cheerful demeanor that made him look younger and more ambitious.

Chen Afu joked, "The grand boss Chen seems to have grown grander."

Chen Shi laughed heartily, "Even if I have, it’s all thanks to Afu. Afu is my lucky star. Ever since she visited my house last year, everything has been going well for me."

He invited Chen Afu and her son to have dinner at Xinglong Wine Shop the next evening, along with Manager Luo and his family, as a way to welcome them. The wine shop was not far away—just three streets over.

While Chen Afu was curious about what Xinglong Wine Shop was like, she did not want to take Dabao to a busy public place. So she shook her head and laughed, "We’d rather not join in the hustle and bustle. I prefer a quiet meal at home with Mrs. Zhang and Aman."

Mrs. Zhang came over with some new clothes. She and Chen Aman had each made two new silk clothes for Chen Afu and her son.

Chen Afu felt embarrassed, asserting that as a younger person, she shouldn’t let her elders make clothes for her. After refusing several times, she reluctantly accepted them.

By 9 a.m. the next day, not only did Aunt Zeng and Xia Yue arrive, but they also brought a carriage, a coachman, and a guard.

The coachman was Uncle Qing, whom she had met several times last year, and the guard’s surname was Wang.

Uncle Qing mentioned that Manager Luo had instructed them to stay nearby every day, ready to accompany Ms. Chen on her errands to ensure her safety.

Chen Afu deeply appreciated Manager Luo for this favor, as this was what she needed most currently. Having bodyguards from the Senator’s Mansion providing personal protection meant that so long as she didn’t cross paths with some mighty figure from the Capital City, no one would dare to offend her.

Chen Afu had already put the two brocade boxes containing the jewelry and precious stones into her bag. She also brought along a few panda dolls of varied sizes and designs. They were her designs, made by Mrs. Wang. The Jade Kirin Silver Tower was next to the Embroidery Workshop, so she could stop by there after selling the jewelry.

She didn’t dare to bring Dabao out and had called Jin Yanzi to keep him company, giving her some peace of mind.

Dabao was crying non-stop, clutching onto Chen Afu’s skirt, refusing to let go.

Chen Afu picked him up and said, "You have Jin Bao, Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Zhui Feng with you and you’re still crying like this? If Yan’er finds out, she will surely ridicule you."

Hearing this, Dabao quickly shut his mouth tight, but the tears in his eyes still rolled down involuntarily. He managed to muster in a choking voice, "Then don’t tell Yan’er. If she doesn’t know, she won’t ridicule me."

"Alright, Mom won’t tell." Chen Afu used a handkerchief to wipe his tears and whispered, "If Mom sells a lot this time, we can buy a big shop and earn a lot of money."

After giving him a kiss, she put him down.

Chen Afu set off towards the Jade Kirin Silver Tower on West Street in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by Xia Yue, Qiu Yue, Guard Wang, and Xue Dagui, who were on horseback.

During the journey, Xia Yue informed her that Chu Lingxuan had already returned to Dingzhou. But due to the upcoming inspection tour of the two princes, he was so busy that he couldn’t even go home. He only managed to return home late in the night when he found out that his daughter had returned. It seemed that the elderly Marquis and Mrs. Chu would also be coming to Dingzhou in two days, and the Senator’s Mansion was in a flurry of preparation...

Thinking back to when Chu Lingxuan had said that Mrs. Chu would come to see her, and she had made her attitude clear, Chen Afu wondered if Mrs. Chu would no longer insist on ’seeing’ her?

With the presence of their elders, Ms. Chu might not necessarily have to return home with her...

Losing herself in her thoughts, the journey passed swiftly and the carriage soon arrived at the entrance of the Silver Tower. Uncle Qing stayed behind to take care of the carriage at the street corner, while the rest accompanied Chen Afu into the Tower.

To her surprise, Mr. Bai still remembered her and greeting her with a smile, asked, "Young lady, are you here to sell jewelry or buy today?"

His eyes squinted into slits, matching the deep creases at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. The few precious stones she had sold last time had earned the Silver Tower a substantial profit. He was somewhat baffled as the stones weren’t particularly large and their quality wasn’t exceptionally high as they contained minor impurities. However, due to their exceptional luster, he had offered a high price of 410 taels of silver, which he deemed as a fair offer.

But the in-house artisan had claimed that these gems were rare treasures. Not only did their luster surpass other gems, they even glowed faintly in dim light. In particular, the emerald was as deeply colored as a clear mountain spring.

The brooch made from the three rubies was sold for four hundred taels of silver. As for the gold ring set with that emerald, it was sold at a high price of one thousand and one hundred taels of silver.

Chen Afu, oblivious to Mr. Bai’s thoughts, straightforwardly replied with a smile, "I’m a bit strapped for cash, so I’m thinking of selling some things."

On hearing her reply, Mr. Bai was even more delighted, and quickly invited her into a small room to discuss further. After Chen Afu entered, the others tactfully waited outside.

When Chen Afu brought out the bridal set given by Chen Shiying, she felt a faint pain in her heart and an impulse to snatch it back. She pressed her chest to suppress her feelings, proceeded to open the brocade box, and asked, "How much is this bridal set worth?"